Commission orders RFPs after Raftelis explains organizational scan; firm says it does not offer salary studies

The Finney County Board of County Commissioners voted to issue two requests for proposals after a presentation by Michelle Ferguson of Raftelis on conducting organizational assessments.

Michelle Ferguson, executive vice president with consulting firm Raftelis, told the board her firm specializes in organizational scans for local governments and includes staff and leadership interviews, best‑practice review and an implementation plan. “Our focus is on working with local governments and utilities across the country to provide a wide variety of services, including organizational assessments … and strategic planning related services,” Ferguson said.

Commissioners questioned scope and deliverables. Commissioner Kevin Basquiat asked whether a compensation (salary and benefit) study and recruitment/retention recommendations would be included; Ferguson answered that Raftelis does not perform specific salary surveys or salary‑level studies: “That is not a service that our firm provides,” she said, but added the firm will review recruitment and retention practices, job descriptions and organizational charts as part of the assessment.

Commissioner Mike Yoots asked whether the work would include job descriptions and span‑of‑control analysis; Ferguson said those items are routine components of an organizational review and that the firm would include elected offices in the scope if the board wanted that.

The board debated whether to waive formal procurement due to time pressure tied to the county’s administrator transition. Commissioners who had reviewed Raftelis’ materials praised the firm but most said the county should “lead by example” and follow the RFP process. The board voted to issue RFPs for both the organizational scan and the separate executive recruitment/search to allow multiple firms to respond; the administrator and counsel will run the procurement and aim to return proposals for selection at the March 3 meeting.

What was asked and follows

- Scope clarifications: Raftelis will not provide a standalone salary survey; it will review recruitment and job‑description practices and deliver recommended organizational structure changes and an implementation plan. - RFP timeline: Commissioners instructed staff to publish RFPs promptly with an accelerated review so finalists can be chosen at the March 3 meeting.

The decision to pursue competitive procurement was unanimous; staff will post RFPs and return proposals for the board’s March 3 consideration.